PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Xisco Munoz has described their Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite quarter-final conflict with holders Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Friday as ‘’a very powerful match in the club’s historical past’’.
And the Spaniard is demanding full focus from the gamers as they step onto the battleground on the King Abdullah Stadium.
“This is simply the biggest game in the club’s history,” mentioned Munoz.
“In the Champions League, you face tough teams with excellent individual players, solid structures and great pace. These matches demand everything from you.
“It is essentially a final, 90 minutes where you must control the situation. You have to read the game well, create chances, and manage key moments before and after half-time to win.”
Al-Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals after edging Qatari membership Al-Duhail 1-0 on the King Abdullah Stadium on Monday.
They would be the favourites, particularly with their star gamers like English striker Ivan Toney, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, Brazilian centreback Roger Ibanez, Turkish centreback Merih Demiral, Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Ivorian midfielder Frank Kessie set to characteristic in the match.
But regardless of being the underdogs, Munoz insisted his facet is not going to shrink back from aiming excessive.
“Our mentality is that we are going there to win the Champions League. We know the level of competition, but we will give 100 per cent.”
Munoz expressed pleasure in JDT’s rise to Asia’s elite degree, crediting long-term imaginative and prescient and dedication for their success.
“It comes down to passion, consistency and a ‘no excuses’ culture. It is about constant improvement, season after season.
“Usually, when people achieve success, they relax. At JDT, we are lucky because we never relax – we always want more.
“Ten years ago, would you have believed that JDT would be among the top eight teams in the Champions League?
“Behind this is sacrifice and hard work. I have only been here nine months, but I’m proud of everyone at the club.”
Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation Competitions Committee have really useful some adjustments to the ACL Elite subsequent season, together with an growth to a 32-team format starting from the 2026-27 season.
Under the proposed construction, the variety of groups in the league stage will likely be elevated from 24 to 32, break up evenly between the East and West areas with 16 golf equipment every.
The transfer goals to broaden alternatives for prime golf equipment throughout Asia whereas elevating requirements in home competitions.
